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Pacific Green Party fights for ballot status in Oregon

The Pacific Green Party of Oregon is struggling to maintain their all-important ballot status. This is yet another example of the problems third parties and independents have with getting on and staying on the ballot. Ballot access rules are imposed by the two major parties and are designed to minimize competition from new parties and independents. If an organization is well-funded, it can often pay people to register voters and gather signatures. But small parties like the Pacific Greens don’t have that luxury. They must do it themselves, and with volunteer help.

The Oregon Secretary of State has ruled that the Pacific Greens must register at least 1,600 more voters before August 8 to maintain the one-half of one percent registration of the electorate needed for ballot status